Bielsa, 58, had recently visited France to watch OM matches, visit the club's facilities and hold talks with the 1992-93 Champions League-winners about potentially taking over first-team coaching duties at the Stade Velodrome. In Friday's media release, the club cited Bielsa's visit as the deciding factor in contracting the veteran manager.

After missing out on Andre Villas-Boas as a replacement for Elie Baup, who was sacked in December, Marseille president Vincent Labrune said two weeks ago that he had all but closed the deal with Bielsa.

Former Argentina and Chile boss Bielsa had been out of work since leaving Athletic Bilbao when his contract expired last summer, just a year after spearheading the Basque club's thrilling run to the Europa League final.

He will take over from Jose Anigo, who moved from his role as Marseille's sporting director to take charge of the first team after Baup was sacked.